DOJ closes investigation of AstraZeneca blood thinner

The Department of Justice has closed its investigation into AstraZeneca's clinical trial of its heart medication Brilinta, the company announced Tuesday.

No charges are being filed against the company in connection with the probe.

Brilinta, a blood thinner, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2011 as a treatment for patients with acute coronary syndrome. The drug has since received marketing approvals from regulatory authorities in more 100 countries. Brilinta generated $283 million in sales for AstraZeneca last year.

The Department of Justice investigation into how the 18,000-patient PLATO clinical trial was conducted began in October 2013 after the agency received a complaint concerning the study from an unnamed medical professor. No further details of the investigation were ever disclosed by the company or the government.

AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN), a London pharmaceutical company that has its U.S. headquarters in Wilmington, said the government is not planning any further action in the matter.

“We welcome the Department of Justice’s decision not to pursue further action,” said Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca’s CEO, in a prepared statement. “We have always had absolute confidence in the integrity of the PLATO trial, and we are proud of the important benefit Brilinta offers to patients around the world suffering from acute coronary syndrome.”

Soriot said cardiovascular drugs continue to be one of the key markets for the company's future growth.